Combination reflector and showcase frame



Oct. 2, 1951 c KURTZQN 2,569,934

COMBINATION REFLECTOR AND SHOWCASE. FRAME Filed Jan. 5, 1947 2 Sheetsr-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

' 27 Y finlicggzmi Oct. 2, 1951 c. K. KURTZON COMBINATION REFLECTOR AND SHOWCASE FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1947 INVENTOR. %%4mm2w Patented Oct. 2, 1951 COLIBINATION REFLECTOR AND SHOWCASE FRAME Charles Kenneth Kurtzon, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Garden City Plating & Manufacturing 00., a corporation of Illinois Application January 3, 1947, Serial No. 7.203074 .3 Claims. (01.240-) This invention relates to a combination reflec or and showcase frame, and particularly to means for mounting fluorescent or other elongated .-li ght tubes for lighting the interior of a showcase.

The present invention comprises a new and compact showcase cornice structure, including a reflector, that can be assembled readily with the rest of the showcase structure. The cornice structure doesnot detract from the aesthetic appearance of the showcase design and provides a safe conduit for concealed electrical wiring. Additionally, the reflector cooperates with the cornice to hold the top edge of the vertically disglass wallsecu-rely in position.

The. structure bywhichthe various results are attained will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a showcase embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is aperspective view showing the cornice pandreflector in disassembledposition;

Fig.3 is .a detail :perspective View showing a atsoiket forreceiving one end of a fluorescent light u e;

Fig. '4 is a detailperspective view, similar to Fig-.3, showings. retractable socket for receiving the-other end ofuthe fluorescent light tube;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the .top of .the showcaseshowing the refiector secured to the cornice at the top front edge of the showcase;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the "line 66 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 isa longitudinalsectional view taken on the line l---! of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

.8 is a detail perspective view of the end box; and .Eig, .9 is an end elevation showing the end box fsecured to the reflector.

Jthedrawings, the reference numeral .2 indimates a showcase of conventional design except .ror the cornice 3 and the structure associated therewith for lighting the interior of the showcase. Cornice '3 is positioned between adjacent edgesof the vertically disposed front glass wall 4 and .thetop glasszwalli. Asseen best in Figs. 2 and 5, the cornice has a longitudinally extending recess 6 at the rear of its bottom portion 1. The top edge of the vertical glass wall 4 fits against the recess 6 and is held against outward or upward movement by the cornice.

The section of the cornice just above the bot- .at approximately the juncture .of the rounded section 8 and the flat section 9. The precise position of the flange l2 isnot material to the invention; but it is. essential that it cooperates with bottom portion :l and rounded section-8 to form a substantially wedge -.shaped space extending along-the lengthof the cornice. Suitably shaped blocks H of wood or other suitable material are driven into the =wedge+shaped space from either end, to provide an anchoring means for a reflector 14. The edge of block l3 contiguous to the rounded section B is wider than the distance between the free end of flange I2 and the top-of bottomportion 7|. Accordingly, it is impossible for block l 3 to be inserted in any other manner, and after the showcase -is-assembled it is impossible for theblock to he removed without dismantling theshowoase.

Reflector l4, preferably of the same lengthas the cornice 3, is secured to block lsbymeans of .a plurality of screws [5 or similar fastening means. The inside surface of the reflector may he finished in any desirable manner to provide max-imumlight reflection. I-n addit-ionwto providing adequate {light reflection the reflector is utilized to fulfill certain structural requirements, and it is therefore shaped with due consideration for the dual purpose it performs. Both outer edges -I-6 and H are cur-ved or otherwise shaped :to fit around opposite sides of an elongated light tube [8 at a proper distance to reflect :the light rays downwardly into the showcase. Preferably the light tube is of small diameter, such as the fluorescent tube sold under the trade-mark Slimline, for example, so that the sides of reflector 14 are substantially concealed by cornice' -3 from the view of a person standing front of the'showcase. "It will 'be obvious that if the showcase is of sufficient length a plurality of light tubes I8 may be mounted in the reflector in axial alignment.

Curved edge I6 of the reflector extends to the line where it engages the rear edge of flange ll of the cornice and then it extends parallel to '--to the blocks. slightly {from the blocks so that they can be v so that the Wiring is fully protected; Section 9 of the cornice, which constitutes one of the walls of the conduit, conceals the wiring from View from the outside of the showcase, and reflector section l9 conceals it from view from inside the showcase. v V V Curved edge I! of the reflector terminates in an oflset 21 that brings the reflector into contact with the rear surface of vertical glass wall 4. The section 22 of the reflector extends upwardly in contact with glass 4 and supports it to prevent inward movement of the glass. This support of the vertically disposed glass wall by the reilector is of importance because it simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the entire showcase construction, After the vertically disposed glass wall is positioned in recess'fi the reflectormay then he Secured in position, Since the top glass Wallis supported at its adjacent free edge solely by the flange ll of the cornice it may be positioned either before, or after the reflector is secured to the cornice. If the vertical glass wall has to be replaced it is necessary only to remove turbed.

the reflector and the top glass need not be; dis- Section 22 of the reflector engages the rear edge of. the bottom portion 1 of the cornice above the recess 6. Section 22 and I 9 of the reflector are L joined by a section 23 which extends substantially parallel to'the rear edgeof blocks IS. The screws ass through section 23 to secure the reflector Preferably section 23 is spaced tightlv drawn against the sides of the wedge shaped space bv screws I5 if they do not fit tightly when inserted in the space. r V

The li ht tube "3 is mounted in a pair of sockets 24 and 25. The sockets do not constitute part 101' the present invent on. They are described in detail-in' the conending application of'George B. Kurtzon. Serial No. 719 9'72. filed on even date herewith which matured into Patent No. 2,560,877

on Julvl'? 1951. 7 a Socket 24 is a fixed socket, and socketZShas V A finger piece 21'is' secured to section 26 to facilitate its movement. -Both sockets are secured to reflector section 23 a retractable section 26.

by means of screws 28. Spacers 29 surrounding each screw 28 are positioned between the reflector and each socket.

An end box 3llis secured to section I9 of the reflector bv means of screws 3| passing through apertures 32 in a flan e 33 integral with the end box. The bottom wall 34 of the end box'i's provided with an a erture. 35ito which a down tube 1 36h; secured. The wiring for the fixture is carried to, the source of current through the end box and the down tube. This tube is preferably positioned adjacent one corner of the showcase so as to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Although I have described a preferred embodi- 7 plate, a second lass plate extending at an angle to said first mentioned glass, a cornice having a recess fitting against one side of the free edge of said first mentioned glass plate, said cornice having a flange supporting the free edge of said second glass plate, a block secured in said cornice, and a' reflector provided with curved V edges partially surrounding a space provided for 1 Number a light tube and an intermediate portion secured to said block, the intermediate portion of said reflector including aflange engaging the other side of the free edge of said first mentioned glass plate and cooperating with said cornice to hold said first mentioned glass plate in position.

2. In a showcase, a cornice having its front edgeterminating in a horizontal bottom and having a vertical offset adjacent its rear edge, a flangebisecting the space between said bottom and said offset, said flange cooperating with said bottom and the intermediate portion of said cornice to' form a wedge shaped space extending longitudinally of said cornice, a wedge shaped block snugly fitted into said wedge shaped space, and a reflector secured to said block.

3. In a showcase, a cornice having its front edge terminating in a horizontal bottom and having a vertical offset adjacent its rear edge, a flange bisecting the space between said bottom and said offset,said flange cooperating with said bottom and the intermediate portion of said cornice to form a wedge shaped space extending longitudinally of said cornice, a wedge shaped block snugly fitted into said wedge shaped space, a reflector secured to said block, a pair of sockets securedto said reflector, and wiring connecting said sockets electrically, said flange cooperating with said vertical offset,'the intermediate portion of said cornice, and the reflector to forma conduit for housing said wiring. 50'

The following references are of record in-the 'flle ofthispatent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Name Date, 1 615,471 Boeschenstein Dec. 6, 1898 634,701 Petz Oct. 10,1899 888,919 Marr May 26,1908 1,243,453 Smith Oct. 16, 1917 2,144,753 Erikson Jan. 24. 1939 1 2,336,416 7 Parker Dec. '7, 1943 2,351,335 Holmes June 13, 1944 2,406,145 Holmes Aug. 20, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 626,250 Germany Feb. 22. 1936 

